Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Monday that the overall well-being of 47.1% of Palestinian households deteriorated in April 2004, and that the Israeli closure was an obstacle faced 41.4% of the Palestinian households during past six months.

The PCBS survey indicated that 47.1% interviewed persons reported that the overall well-being of their households is worse in April compared with a month ago; 35.8% in the West Bank and 34.3% in Gaza Strip, while 8.4% reported that it is better; 8.0% in the West Bank and 9.2% in the Gaza Strip.

The PCBS added that 5.0% of households reported that the ability of households members to move around is significantly harder this week compared with a week ago; 6.9% in the West Bank and 1.2% in Gaza Strip, while 1.4% reported that it is significantly easier; 1.7% in the West Bank and 0.8% in the Gaza Strip.

Data collection took place during the period 6-4-2004-20-4-2004 on a sample composed of 1.308 households; 924 in West Bank and 384 in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the short-term expectations, PCBS confirmed that About 14.3% of the respondents expected that overall well being of households will be much worse in a month time (16.3% in the West Bank and 10.5% in Gaza Strip), against 0.7% expected that it will be much better (0.9% in the West Bank and 0.4% in the Gaza Strip).

“23.5% of interviewed persons expected that the ability of households’ members to move around will be harder next month compared with interviewing week (32.9% in the West Bank and 5.8% in Gaza Strip), while 16.7% expected that it will be easier. 27.0% of interviewed persons reported that they are very pessimistic to find a job next month, while 0.8% were very optimistic”, PCBS added.

About the Mid-term expectations, the survey revealed that About 16.0% of the respondents expected that overall well-being of households will be much worse in six months time (18.6% in the West Bank and 11.1% in Gaza Strip), against 1.9% expected that life will be much better (1.0% in the West Bank and 3.5% in the Gaza Strip).

PCBS added “8.4% of interviewed persons reported that the ability of household members to move around will be significantly harder in six months time compared with interviewing week (12.4% in the West Bank and 0.8% in Gaza Strip), while 0.7% reported that it is significantly easier.

As for the priorities of households, the data revealed that 37.5% of the households reported the need for food as a first priority, 20.8% the need for work, 19.9% the need for financial assistance, and 8.3% reported the need for educational services, while 7.9% reported the need for health services as a first priority.

The survey also said, concerning needs of communities, that about 48.6% of households reported the need for work, and 19.7% reported the need for facilities infrastructure, and 9.4% for health services. (meanreport.com)